EE sees record network traffic levels during World Cup

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As the big soccer carnival continues in South America, it appears that UK fans know a champion when they see one.

UK mobile operator EE has proudly announced that Tim Cahill’s wonder strike for Australia at 5.21pm on Wednesday June 18 resulted in the biggest ever single data spike across the EE network as people, many of whom were still at work, took to social media and streaming services to watch replays of the goal.

EE also said that after losing the first game against Italy, England fans knew yesterday’s match against Uruguay was of critical importance. Not only did fans huddle around TVs and pack pubs, but they smashed records on the EE network for the amount of traffic generated by streaming online video.

“During last night’s game EE experienced its highest overall traffic levels, topping a record set during the Germany game earlier this week – each big game is driving higher and higher usage,” the company said.

“The use of streaming applications increased during the game by 45% overall compared with normal traffic, and there was a surge in the second half as the game became more tense, with a 65% increase.

“Social media usage dropped during the game itself as nervous England fans couldn’t tear themselves away from the action, but spiked at half time and after the final whistle with Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter seeing peaks of 25%, 28% and 35% respectively at half time.”